Hi Eric, On the up side, it looks like most of the plants in the web site you provided look to have been treated, and probably less edible. However, I agree with Tom and Eric’s recommendation of doing a preventative treatment on the dried plants prior to use in the exhibition, using whatever method you use at the Met. Freezing would be the easiest. but CO2 or another anoxic method would work as well. I also suggest that you monitor the plants while on display – just to be safe.
I would also ask the vendor how the plants are processed. I am not sure if you can get the information, but it is worth asking. Often these plants are processed with glycerin (or similar substance) so that color and longevity are maintained. Good luck, Gretchen Anderson Gretchen Anderson Conservator Carnegie Museum of Natural History 5800 Baum Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15213 anders...@carnegiemnh.org<mailto:anders...@carnegiemnh.org> (412)665-2607 From: 'bugman22' via MuseumPests <pestlist@googlegroups.com> Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2021 2:42 PM To: pestlist@googlegroups.com Subject: Re: [PestList] Dried flowers a potential insect issue? If the exhibit is for a week, then the potential for a cigarette beetle infestation originating in them is not that great. However, if the exhibit is planned for several weeks or even months, then I would freeze the bundles to insure nothing will later feast on the dried flowers. Refer to the museum pests internet for times and temperature. Wholesalers of dried flowers and plants often have infestations of these tiny cinnamon-colored beetles. They are the bane of herbaria collections. I've even found their larvae feasting on the glued joints of an antique piece of furniture. Tom Parker -----Original Message----- From: Breitung, Eric <eric.breit...@metmuseum.org<mailto:eric.breit...@metmuseum.org>> To: 'pestlist@googlegroups.com' <pestlist@googlegroups.com<mailto:pestlist@googlegroups.com>> Sent: Wed, Jun 30, 2021 1:32 pm Subject: [PestList] Dried flowers a potential insect issue? Hello Pest-listers – My Design department is interested in using bundles of dried/preserved flowers in an upcoming exhibition. Does anyone know or have experience with these being food or attractants for pests? They’re obviously potential harborage, but I’m less concerned about that. https://www.afloral.com/collections/dried-flowers-preserved-flowers<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.afloral.com%2fcollections%2fdried-flowers-preserved-flowers&c=E,1,lQTg3WdjW6f5yS22SftPAiE0Fn99pLEIERXu7tOHVchHFhriQa_uXNtSOxEwu2I4SrCTK4WtI8pSr9mHoVy4JmTccitasUAbkjsF6UjwfFepero5kn2Gcg,,&typo=1> Thank you in advance for thoughts and comments. Eric -- Eric Breitung Research Scientist Department of Scientific Research 212 396 5390 The Metropolitan Museum of Art 1000 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10028 @metmuseum<https://www.instagram.com/metmuseum> metmuseum.org<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fwww.metmuseum.org%2f&c=E,1,-yqyPD78kRewKK-cb-paMi4I8ePasxfGVBCNg3XClmX1ZKnbULditd8I8L3WRGIT6NS46Waoir5qvrLKKyj-JNtwT-S_euIDuOQQP_fXPeYK&typo=1> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MuseumPests" group. 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